Gold’s performance in 2008 could look like a real yawner. After all, it only managed to eke out a 5.7% gain.  Not the kind you’d normally brag about over cocktails.

The dollar and the yen gained ground on Monday as grim Japanese data intensified global recession fears and encouraged buying of safer assets, while concerns about trouble in eastern Europe pressured the euro.

Trade Deficit to narrow further… Currencies rally, then sell off… Obama’s stimulus loses backers… Riksbank cuts 100 BPS unexpectedly… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

The currency markets reaction to the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cuts has ignited a rally in gold, as investors weigh the benefits of owning the yellow metal versus U.S. Treasuries and the dollar.

Santa rally continues…  Norway cuts 175 basis points…  Japanese intervention possible…  Indian rupee moves up… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

A Santa Rally for the currencies?…  Waiting for the FOMC…  AUD and NZD rally…  China to try and keep growth above 8%… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Dollar slides across board, hits 2-mth low vs euro… Dollar hits 2-mth low vs basket of currencies… Focus on fate of U.S. automakers, Fed rate decision

FOMC to cut further…  Bernanke turns his back on inflation…  Kiwi and Australia rally…  Gold continues to shine… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Senate rejects auto bailout…  ECB pushes back from the rate cut table…  Goldman and Citigroup predict a dollar fall…  China to continue to appreciate… And Now… Today’s Pfennig!

Equities surged around the world on Monday with investors taking heart from a likely rescue plan for U.S. automakers, a proposed U.S. jobs plan and more government stimulus measures to reverse economic decline.